Monday, January 25, 2010

As I write this, it's hard not to let the tears well up. Little Gretel is 100% recovered from her leg injury at construction sight. No fracture as the bone has rejoined and her flesh wound has seen new growth of skin and fur. She has such strength and courage. I have learned so much from a three pound kitten. She and her brother are now ready for adoption.

The kittens are 7 months old. The pictures hardly do them justice and their personalities will literally make you fall in love.

Hansel (above) is now a little taller than his sister (he's actually smaller than he appears in the picture). What presence--such regal, stately demure! He's a knight in platinum armor and protects his little sister.

Gretel no longer damsel in distress-she's growing up to be quite a lady!

Gretel is the sweetest kitten I have ever cared for. She meows, almost demanding attention and affection just like a dog. She curls up in your lap when seated and faithfully sleeps by your side when it's bedtime. I will cry many tears when giving her up but once the foster parents send me pictures of her new happy home, I will be equally happy!

If you ever wanted a cat who was like a dog without having to take it out for walks and send to groomer, then this is the cat most people dream about. Her brother is her friend, playmate when you're away from home. You'll see why it would be cruel to separate these siblings.

This brother and sister are inseparable. They are deflead, dewormed, tested negative for feline aids and leukemia and have received all vaccinations. They are also spayed and neutered!

Fostering these two kittens is no different than fostering one. Hansel is so easy--no rambunctious behavior, no tearing up the house, no demanding of attention but he can be affectionate. Just food, water, toys and his sister is all he needs.

Unlike most cats, Gretel loves to be held and caressed and baby talked to. Her varying shades of black and gray with speckles of warm caramel and white mittens combined with her personality is deserving of an artist's rendering. She is that special.

Adoption fee is normally $65 for one. You can adopt both kittens for price of one!

(Note: just to spay one cat is $200 at a vet and the cost of vaccinations, blood test and doctor exam is well over $100).

Friday, January 15, 2010

Recently I had the opportunity to attend a performance by world-renowned guitarist, Ottmar Liebert. This was the first time I ever attended a show where there was no dancing or physical movement other than the melodious vibrations of flamenco guitar notes in the air.

The music transported me to my travels in Spain, especially Andalucia, the heart of flamenco. The sight, the sounds, the rhythm, the passion...

This German-born artist is a man of deep thought and instrumental innovations to bring a world together through the universal language of music. He recently married his talent with the illustrious Iraqi oud player, Rahim AlHaj. Under the title "Under the Rose, Liebert and AlHaj unite modern flamenco with ancestral Iraqi tradition similar to the Moorish influence in the Iberian peninsula. Now you can indulge in this spectacular marriage of music.

This also makes a great gift. How can you present this album as a customized gift? Just follow these instructions:Go to the Under the Rose webpage.Click on Download this album in lossless FLAC format.Click on "Click here to download a PDF you can print out for making your own CD jewel box insert."If you don’t have FLAC software, go to this webpage and download some.Burn an audio CD.Print the jewel box insert.Tie a ribbon around it.Optional: make a donation to Direct Aid Iraq.Total cost should be about a buck, for the CD-R with case, plus the donation, if applicable.

Friday, January 1, 2010

With scores of commercials with name-dropping celebs like Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench, and Sophia Loren to name a few and the comparison to the musical Chicago, expectations were set and set high.

Unfortunately I was not charmed. Where was the dazzling choreography where I long to rewind the clock 20 years and relive my dancing years? And the singing. I asked if these A- list actresses were really singing. They were. With the exception of the belting gusto of professional singer Fergie, the rest were as flat as Miami sea level land. Even the script for these phenomenal actresses was sub par. I forget that Sophia Loren is mortal but it showed. With all the plastic surgery, she was wound so tight she appeared stiff.

The heroes were Daniel Day Lewis and Judi Dench and also kudos to Oscar winner Marion Cotillard. Technically, she's the only trained singer.

Daniel Day Lewis epitomizes the character of an Italian director who spirals into a cigarette smoking frenzy when media announcement is made of his next movie but he has no script or even a title. He "dances" around questions and the lies avalanche. His muses are the various women in his life--his dead mother who appears as a ghost (Sophia Loren), his French dress maker (Judi Dench), his childhood older heartthrob (Fergie), his wife (Marion Cotillard), his mistress (Penelope Cruz), and leading actress (Nicole Kidman).

Other memorable moments: Penelope Cruz's raunchy, tit-and-ass with fishnet hose-covered- legs performance. Fergie's lustful musical score "Be Italian" makes you want to be Italian. And Kate Hudson's perky song and dance performance. But no comparison to Chicago. Even Rotten Tomatoes is scoring this at 37% right now.

Kate Hudson

Fergie

Moral of the movie (between the lessons to learn and all the sumptous women, this movie really is for men):

Sydney is my second favorite city in the world, next to Washington DC, where I spent Christmas with family. What's in Australia other than burping blokes and surfing dudes and dudettes? More relatives, the nicest people and an incredible culture.

I've had the opportunity to visit Sydney and the last time was 10 years ago for the millenium. It was my dream and goal. Then I remembered, I have reached every goal I set. I am truly blessed to be born in the USA where in America you can do anything! Life is a journey but also an adventure!

Here's wishing a brighter New Year for all people around the world.

Never stop dreaming, never stop striving, never stop believing, and TIME will shine the light on the passage for a brighter future!